BRISBANE: Murali Vijay made Australia's bowlers toil in the brutal Brisbane heat with a defiant century as India frolicked in the second Test at the Gabba on Wednesday.Vijay profited from two dropped catches by Shaun Marsh to score his fourth Test century against Australia and his first in this country, putting the tourists in a commanding position after the opening day.The Chennai right-hander, cruelly out for 99 in the Adelaide series opener, made it look easy on a Gabba pitch where the Australians have remained unconquered for 26 years.
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Vijay was out late in the day, caught behind off spinner Nathan Lyon for 144 – equalling Sourav Ganguly's 2003 knock as the highest score by an Indian at the Gabba."Today was really hot and was testing us all. As a batsman I could see a lot of bowlers sulking out there because it was really hot," Vijay said.
"The (post-tea) session was really important for us and I thought a lot of people on their team were getting tired. I wanted to wait until that time and make use of it."Vijay batted for 332 minutes and faced 213 balls with 22 fours. He put on 124 with Ajinkya Rahane for the fourth wicket.
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At the close India were 311 for four with Rahane unbeaten on 75 and Rohit Sharma not out 26.
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The century continued Vijay's impressive start to the four-match series with scores of 53 and 99 in India's 48-run defeat in the first Test.
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He was helped along the way by two chances put down by Shaun Marsh on 36 and 102, both off Mitchell Johnson's bowling and by a tiring Australian bowling attack on a sweltering day. – AFP
